Children's Books

Juster, Norton

The Dot and the Line.

New York : Random House, 1963.

First edition of this classic work. Small octavo, original illustrated boards. Boldly signed by Norton Juster on the title page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. First editions are rare, especially signed.

Lewis, C.S

Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia.

London : Geoffrey Bles, 1951.

First edition of the second book in Lewis’ beloved Narnia series. Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated by Pauline Baynes. With an autograph note signed by C.S. Lewis to his PhD student at Cambridge, Anthony Spearing. On Lewis’ Magdalene College, Cambridge letterhead, the note reads in full, “5th Nov. 57 Dear Mr. Spearing, I gatherContinue reading "Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia."

The First Spelling Primer; or an Easy Introduction to the Art of Reading Adorned with Emblematic Pictures.

London-Derry : Published by G. Douglas, 1795.

Second edition of this scarce 18th century spelling primer. 16mo, original limp paper boards, illustrated with twenty-six small text woodcuts illustrating the Prince’s Alphabet, followed by an ABC poem, The Alphabet in Rhime, syllables of two and three letters, easy words, easy reading lessons, the Lord’s Prayer, and a publisher’s advertisement leaf aimed at childrenContinue reading "The First Spelling Primer; or an Easy Introduction to the Art of Reading Adorned with Emblematic Pictures."

Carle, Eric

The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Cleveland : World Publishing, 1969.

First edition, first printing of Carle’s most recognizable work (with the complete number line 1-5 on the copyright page and A3450 on the rear board). Oblong quarto, original illustrated boards. Signed by Eric Carle on the title page with an original drawing of a caterpillar. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket withContinue reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."

Curtis, Alice Turner [Sylvia Plath]

A Little Maid of Vermont.

Philadelphia : The Penn Publishing Company, 1927.

First edition of the author’s children’s classic; from the library of Sylvia Plath. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Grace Norcross. Presentation copy, inscribed by Sylvia Plath’s mother on the front free endpaper, “Feb. 10, 1941 To my sweetheart, Sylvia from Mommy” and with her father, Otto Plath’s, embossed library stamp. Sylvia Plath was born inContinue reading "A Little Maid of Vermont."

Lewis, C.S

The Silver Chair.

London : Geoffrey Bles, 1953.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket, contemporary name to the half-title page. Illustrated by Pauline Baynes. An exceptional example, as this is the most difficult volume in the series to find in collectible condition.

Carle, Eric

1,2,3 To The Zoo.

New York : Philomel, 1982.

First edition, early printing of this classic work, the artists’ first solely authored and original picture book. Thin quarto, original cloth, illustrated endpapers. Boldly signed by Eric Carle opposite the title page. In near fine condition.

Silverstein, Shel

The Missing Piece.

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1976.

First edition, early printing of this classic work by Silverstein. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Mother of Nancy With Love Shel Silverstein” Silverstein has added a large drawing of the missing piece. Near fine in a fine price-clipped dust jacket, ownership inscription to theContinue reading "The Missing Piece."

[Disney, Walt]

Walt Disney’s Bambi: Adapted from the Novel by Felix Salten.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1941.

First edition of this storybook version of Disney’s classic. Slim folio, original pictorial paper boards, illustrated throughout. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with a few small closed tears. Uncommon in this condition. 

Salten, Felix

Bambi’s Children: The Story of a Forest Family.

Indianapolis : Bobbs-Merrill, 1939.

First edition of this classic work, the sequel to Bambi. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Erna Pinner. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Charles Felix Salten.” The recipient, Charles Austin Perry, was an Episcopal clergyman and longtime Provost of the Washington National Cathedral. Near fine in a very goodContinue reading "Bambi’s Children: The Story of a Forest Family."

Paterson, Katherine

Bridge To Terabithia.

New York : Thomas Crowell, 1977.

First edition of the author’s first Newbery-Award winning classic novel. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Donna Diamond. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the title page, “For ___ ____- ‘Just close your eyes and keep your mind wide open.’ Katherine Paterson 9/3/22 *From the movie script by David Paterson.” Fine in a nearContinue reading "Bridge To Terabithia."

Harris, Joel Chandler

Uncle Remus and His Friends: Old Plantation Stories, Songs, and Ballads with Sketches of Negro Character.

Boston and New York : Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1892.

First edition of the fourth collection of “Uncle Remus” tales. Octavo, original pictorial cloth with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, illustrated with frontispiece and 11 plates by A.B. Frost. Presentation copy, inscribed by the illustrator on the flyleaf, “To Doctor Eugene S. Hoyt with the warmest regards of his friend A. B.Continue reading "Uncle Remus and His Friends: Old Plantation Stories, Songs, and Ballads with Sketches of Negro Character."

Burton, Virginia Lee

Maybelle: The Cable Car.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1952.

First edition of this classic work. Oblong quarto, original cloth, illustrated endpapers, illustrated throughout. Boldly signed by Virginia Lee Burton on the title page. Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Uncommon signed.

The Tragi-Comic History of the Burial of Cock Robin; with the Lamentation of Jenny Wren.

Philadelphia : Published by Benjamin Warner, 1821.

First edition under this title of the classic English nursery rhyme. 12mo, original stiff wrappers, illustrated with 8 full-page wood engravings. American Imprints 5013. Rosenbach 616. In very good condition. Housed in a custom full morocco and folding chemise case. A rare title in early American children’s literature.

Harris, Joel Chandler

Evening Tales: Done Into English from the French of Frederic Ortoli.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1893.

First edition of the author’s charming collection of children’s stories. Octavo, original publisher’s decorated cloth. Association copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “My dear Field: As you have made me a millionaire, it is an easy matter to present you this book, which was already yours. It is also easyContinue reading "Evening Tales: Done Into English from the French of Frederic Ortoli."

Harris, Joel Chandler

Nights With Uncle Remus: Myths and Legends of the Old Plantation.

Boston : James R. Osgood and Company, 1883.

First edition of the second book of Uncle Remus stories. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with frontispiece and 19 plates by Frederick Church. In fine condition. Housed in a custom folding chemise slipcase. A brilliant example.

Riggs, Ransom

The Miss Peregrine Series Including: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Hollow City, Library of Souls, Tales of the Peculiar, Map of Days, The Conference of the Birds.

New York : Random House, various dates.

First editions of the first six volumes in the author’s acclaimed series. Octavo, original boards, illustrated. Each are signed by Ransom Riggs on the half-title and title pages. Fine in fine dust jackets.

Sharp, Evelyn. Illustrated by Charles Robinson

The Story of the Weathercock.

London : Blackie & Son Limited, n.d..

Early printing of Sharp’s children’s classic. Quarto, original publisher’s decorated cloth, illustrated with sixteen color plates and numerous black-and-white illustrations by Charles Robinson. In good condition.

Silverstein, Shel

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings.

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1974.

First edition of the author’s first collection of children’s poetry. Stated first edition on the copyright page. Small quarto, original brown cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by Shel Silverstein with an original poem on the front free endpapers to the children of his editor and publicist William Cole, “For Alex and Rossa and Billy, IContinue reading "Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings."

Rackham, Arthur. Introduction by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch

Arthur Rackham’s Book of Pictures.

New York : The Century Co, n.d.

First edition of this collection Rackham’s favorite illustrations, compiled by him. Quarto, bound in full morocco, illustrated by Arthur Rackham with 44 tipped-in color plates with captioned tissue guards and numerous black and white illustrations.

Kipling, Rudyard

The Two Jungle Books.

London : Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1932.

Later printing of Kipling’s Two Jungle Books in one volume. Octavo, original red cloth decorated in gilt with illustrations by J. Lockwood Kipling and W.H. Drake. In very good condition. Bookplate and small ownership inscription.

Kipling, Rudyard

Wee Willie Winkie and Other Stories. [Baa, Baa, Black Sheep; His Majesty the King; The Drums of Fore and Aft]

Allahabad : Published by Messrs. A. H. Wheeler & Co, n.d.

Later printing of this classic collection of Kipling’s tales for children. Octavo, original cloth. Contains Wee Willie Winkie, Baa Baa Black Sheep, His Majesty the King, and The Drums of Fore and Aft. In very good condition.

Tazewell, Charles; Illustrated by Katherine Evans

The Littlest Angel.

Chicago : Childrens Press, Inc., 1946.

First edition of this beloved Christmas classic. Octavo, original illustrated boards, illustrated endpapers. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket, small name to the front free endpaper.

Briggs, Raymond

The Snowman.

London : Hamish Hamilton, 1978.

First edition of this classic children’s book. Quarto, original illustrated boards, illustrated throughout. Boldly inscribed by Raymond Briggs on an official Snowman postcard. In near fine condition with a touch of rubbing. Rare and desirable signed.